First time... sorry, no ducks!

Well, I am new to all this, I got into dSLR photography late October with my new Canon 60D. I started experimenting 2 days ago with BIF, mainly to test the AF in AI Servo.

I like it!

The examples below are either ISO 1600, Av f8.0 or ISO 200 Av f8.0.

1.

This is a nice set, but the first really stands out. I love it! A good start of what might turn into an addiction if you're not careful...

Levina, thank you. I saw your set on the gulls and considered posting there, but I thought that it might be hi-jacking of your thread with your beautiful shots. Gulls are exciting posers!

I got over-excited when this one came over my head and twisted the zoom the WRONG way, clipping his wing. I should have grabbed him by the throat instead! I guess I was as surprised as he was!

That first one is great. Love it.

#1 and 2 are the best I think, especially #1, Welcome to the addiction, Well done!

Thank you. It is kind of addictive... I am already thinking about what changes I will make next time...

In the meantime, here is another one from the last outing:

lol, that first one is so funny! great shot. I would think that the last one (in your first set) was iso1600, as the image looks degraded, with a fair bit of noise. Your very last one is very good too.

Tina, thank you!

You are right. #1 is from the second day when I lowered the ISO to 200. The next 3 were from the first day when I used ISO 1600. The Exif data is there.

I like #4 also (the noisy one) because the gull in the background seems so startled that the one in the foreground took the food right out of his mouth!

It was pretty lucky for me. I went out that day to test the AI Servo. It was about 2C (36F) and I spent an hour going up and down the park with no success. The birds were too far away for my little 18-200, definitely out of reach. After I got thoroughly frozen, I started on my way back home, when I heard behind me all kinds of commotion. I backtracked and I found this couple and their 4 year old son tossing pieces of bread in the air and being literally surrounded by gulls. I rushed in there and shot off a whole bunch of pictures, I am still culling them, and cropping them. I saw the noise too, so I decided to go back and try with lower ISO, since the SS had room to go down.

I want to try again with speed just over 1/1000 to see whether I can get the wing tips sharp (it might be DOF though).

I feel jealous of the people that have access to Nature preserves and can shoot eagles and hawks. In Manhattan, I have access to gulls...

Like others were saying the first one and the very last one you posted are excellent! And there is nothing wrong with gull photos from NYC. As your photos show!
It is addicting, I got the 60D with the EF-S 18-200 for Christmas and I am having difficult putting it down. Then I added a Sigma 150-500. Like you I am always tinkering trying to better my shots. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!

Gulls are great posers, you're right! I love the first one, too. It's terrible how addicted you get! What lens were you using?

I've gotten similar frame-filling with the nifty-250, but know longer focal length could make me misjudge distance - that one looks very close to you!

Wildlife photography is very addictive ... A fine set indeed, well done

CRobH wrote in post #13928747
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It is addicting, I got the 60D with the EF-S 18-200 for Christmas and I am having difficult putting it down...

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement! Difficulty putting it down! Ain't that the truth! I got into flash portraiture, cityscapes, HDR and now Birds and I am shooting like a maniac! Love it!

wuzzittoya wrote in post #13928760
Gulls are great posers, you're right! I love the first one, too. It's terrible how addicted you get! What lens were you using?

I've gotten similar frame-filling with the nifty-250, but know longer focal length could make me misjudge distance - that one looks very close to you!

Wuzzi, the Exif is intact! My (only) zoom is the 18-200. The first of the series was shot at 120mm. I could almost touch the bird... There was this kid throwing bread pieces up in the air and we got engulfed with gulls! They are fearless! Right after the next shot I tried to unzoom so I would get the bird full frame, but in my excitement I zoomed in to 200 and shot blurry blue sky...

straker wrote in post #13928846
Wildlife photography is very addictive ... A fine set indeed, well done

Thank you! I believe I am addicted! I am trying to convince my wife to come down to the park with me and toss bread pieces up in the air... She thinks it is childish!

The first image is my favourite one here ...super.

How do I pull up EXIF in my browser?

Or is it that I click the link on the bottom of your post and go to PhotoBucket and get it that way. Is that the only way?